Help! How to keep kids entertained at a BBQ?

[Cass168]

We are having a BBQ (weather permitting!) to celebrate our DS's first birthday in July. Our friends have kids ranging in ages 0-10 so I'm looking for some simple ideas for toys / games / activities we can have ready to entertain them. If it stays this hot, would a paddling pool work or just be a nightmare for kids turning up with no spare clothes?? Help!

[Youdontneedacriminallawyer]

If you do have a paddling pool - let the parents know in advance so they can pack extra clothes and towels.

How about some garden games like garden jenga etc? Or is your garden big enough for you to hire a bouncy castle? That will keep everyone busy all afternoon (adults too).

[Seeline]

PAddling pool/sprinkler if it is hot would be great but you would have to warn parents as extra clothes would be needed along with suncream etc.
Bubbles are always popular with little ones.
Lots of balls, bean bags etc - if you can get hold of some racquets etc for the older ones.
Drawing stuff.

[dinkystinky]

If good weather padding pool will work really well - let parents know in advance to bring swim wear and have a load of towels for use.

Bubbles for babies/toddlers.

Water pistols etc for older kids (but only if garden big enough for them to stay well away from those who don't want to be soaked)

[Cass168]

A bouncy castle!!! It hadn't even occurred to me! I think our garden would fit a kids' sized one. I'd probably have to forcibly drag most of the parents and my DH off it though

[Youdontneedacriminallawyer]

HTH

[nipersvest]

we have a bbq party every summer, things that work for us are badminton (some of the kids that come are very sporty and we find a shuttlecock does much less damage than a football), giant jenga, boules, chalks (i let them decorate our outside wall)

[babybouncer]

Giant chalk is a good call - at our street party that kept kids quiet for ages! You could head to your nearest BIG supermarket and see what they have. ELC often have good things, like egg and spoon races too. Alternatively, you could do a scavenger hunt in the garden - google to find printable lists/pictures - and just get the older ones to pair up with younger ones.
If they get a bit much, you can always pull out games like simon says, grandmothers footsteps, what's the time mr wolf, musical statues or even 'who can run to that tree and back?'!
IME, kids can be quite good at entertaining themselves outside!

[MsVenus]

Bubble machine which churns out endless bubbles
And everything suggested above